Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has actually assisted his football in what he sees as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.
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'Yeah, that actually plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.
'My papa's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to cut it off so I believed let's do something different that no one else has. I literally informed the hairdresser to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute however I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm simple.'
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.
Iwobi insists that he's always had the frame of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football however has only expressed himself more in current years, going to Paris Fashion Week, releasing songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.
'It's always been my pastime to do music, charity work and things in fashion. But it's only recently that I have actually been revealing myself a lot more, to reveal individuals that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.
Alexi Iwobi has actually made his best start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches
The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have actually added to his on-pitch improvement
It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger
This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.
For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where whatever will be complimentary in a local supermarket.
'You know what Liverpool resemble - it's going to be an extreme video game but whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.
'In your house I was raised in, my dad naturally just returned. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would simply purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and father are has influenced me to give to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I remain in, I seem like it's only ideal with the influence I have that I return as well.'
Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has actually already scored more objectives than in any other season, with 5 in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and want everybody to know you are fully focused on football. But it (liberty) comes with age, being complimentary and not being pushed about negative remarks. If it's constructive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.
'You need to be strong mentally. Players succeed when they're and with me, feeling positive to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it truly plays a part.'
Among those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't hesitate when he had the chance to bring him back to London on Deadline Day in 2015. After his brace against Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League up until now' and he agrees.
The 28-year-old will feed 100 families on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17
Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of feeling like there's more to life than football
Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'
'I have actually been associated with a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You could say it's my best start to the season - I simply have to keep it going and make sure it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for providing him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's nice to have a supervisor who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.
Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".
It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season since 2003-04.
'I do not get it on in the dressing room but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't assist himself, Iwobi reveals.
'He is tapping the manager to listen to the song. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I know the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he took pleasure in the beat. So it's a win-win.
'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having good feedback from the team - even the individuals who don't speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing as well,' includes Iwobi.
Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder but he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.
Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football once again. Now that pleasure has actually been discovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.
'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely helping us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.
Marco Silva first signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later in 2023
Iwobi will have his work cut out as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield
'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to eat. We organised a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We feel like we're prepared to fly and we can do anything together.'
Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer wants to take us out. That's another little complimentary food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really nice. It resembles one big family.'
But initially, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal recently and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had lots of credit for Fulham.
'It shows we have the capability to take on anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi firmly insists.
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Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.
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Iwobi Open on how his Hairstyle, Fashion and Music have Actually Helped Him
letabrinker870 edited this page 2024-12-22 17:50:37 +00:00